Helena experiences first taste of 'Old Man Winter'

Monday

Jan 9, 2017 at 2:35 PM

No school today!

Phillips County youngsters and parents woke up to a big surprise Friday morning. A "dusting" of snow during the night left the ground a solid white and driving somewhat treacherous, particularly on U.S. Highway 49.

It was the area's first real taste of winter, leaving the landscape looking something like a Currier and Ives painting.

Randy Hogan

No school today!

Phillips County youngsters and parents woke up to a big surprise Friday morning. A "dusting" of snow during the night left the ground a solid white and driving somewhat treacherous, particularly on U.S. Highway 49.

It was the area's first real taste of winter, leaving the landscape looking something like a Currier and Ives painting.

Schools closed their doors for the day as well as some businesses. On Facebook, Helena-West Helena firemen urged people to stay at home and to not venture out onto the streets unless absolutely necessary. They reported several fender-benders as a result of the slick streets.

Temperatures mid-morning Friday hovered around the 20 degree mark with a harsh wind chill that made it feel like it was six degrees.

While extremely cold temperatures accompanied by some precipitation were expected to to reach the area early Friday mornings, weather experts on the 10 o'clock news reported on the 10 o'clock news Thursday evening that the snow, if any, would be out of the area by early to mid-morning.

The snow accumulation in Phillips County was about 1/2-inch.

Statewide, government offices were closed Friday as well as the Arkansas State University campus in Jonesboro. Arkansas State Police reported at least three fatality accidents as a result of road conditions. None were reported in Phillips County.

By late afternoon it appeared that things were just about back to normal – save the cold temperatures – but snow began to fall once again.

A winter advisory was issued by the National Weather Service out of Memphis, Tennessee at approximately 2:15 Friday and was scheduled to be in effect until after midnight.

Bitterly cold temperatures remained throughout the day Saturday and on into Sunday. At mid-afternoon Saturday, temperatures were still only in the mid-teens with a brutal wind chill factor making it feel like the temperature was in single digits.

Most Phillips Countians remained close to home with only a few braving the questionable road conditions.

Weather forecasters said the area could expect unseasonably warm temperatures reaching 62 degrees by today (Tuesday).